Hair Parting Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hair parting apparatus comprising: a handle, a first prong extending from the handle; a second prong extending from the handle and orientated such that the second prong is generally parallel to the first prong; a rotatable wheel located on the handle and in operational communication with the first prong and the second prong, and wherein the rotatable wheel can rotate in a first direction and in a second direction; and wherein the hair parting apparatus is configured such that when the wheel is rotated in a first direction, the first and second prongs will move away from each other, while maintaining a parallel orientation to each other, until the distance between the prongs reaches a maximum value; and where the hair parting apparatus is further configured such that when the wheel is rotated in a second direction, the first and second prongs will move towards each other, while maintaining a parallel orientation to each other, until the distance between the two prongs reaches a minimum value.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a hair parting apparatus, and more particularly to a mechanized hair parting apparatus which may assist one in braiding natural hair and/or weaving hair extensions.

BACKGROUND

Hair braiding is an ancient art. Even today it is usually practiced by hand. Some modern hair styles rely on weaving small braids over the entire scalp and thus require considerable time and labor. The prior art discloses many inventions directed to mechanizing the task of braiding hair. Generally these are complex machines intended to completely mechanize the task of braiding. Such machines will be complicated to manufacture, and thus relatively expensive in the retail hair-care market. Such complex machines may be difficult for children to use when braiding each other's hair, or when they braid the hair of their dolls.

Accordingly, there is a need for a hair parting apparatus that overcomes these and other disadvantageous.

SUMMARY

The disclosed invention relates to a hair parting apparatus comprising: a handle, a first prong extending from the handle; a second prong extending from the handle and orientated such that the second prong is generally parallel to the first prong; a rotatable wheel located on the handle and in operational communication with the first prong and the second prong, and wherein the rotatable wheel can rotate in a first direction and in a second direction; and wherein the hair parting apparatus is configured such that when the wheel is rotated in a first direction, the first and second prongs will move away from each other, while maintaining a parallel orientation to each other, until the distance between the prongs reaches a maximum value; and where the hair parting apparatus is further configured such that when the wheel is rotated in a second direction, the first and second prongs will move towards each other, while maintaining a parallel orientation to each other, until the distance between the two prongs reaches a minimum value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is side view of the disclosed hair parting apparatus; and

FIG. 2, is a side view of the disclosed hair parting apparatus, with the handle of the apparatus being see-through.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of the disclosed hair parting apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a handle 14, a first prong 18, a second prong 22, and a wheel 26 located in an opening 30 of the handle 14. The prong end 34 of the handle 14 has a prong opening 38 (not visible in this Figure) which allows the prongs 18, 22 to move with respect to one another and with respect to the handle, such that the distance “d” between the prongs may be increased or decreased, while the prongs 18, 22 remain generally parallel to each other. The prongs 18, 22 are used to help section the hair to create the size braid a user desires. The distance d between the prongs 18, 22 can be increased by spinning the wheel 26 in a first direction, and the distance between the prongs 18, 22 can be decreased by spinning the wheel 26 in a second direction. The maximum distance d between the two prongs 18, 22 may be approximately the width “w” of the handle. The minimum distance d between the two prongs 18, 22 may be zero, that is when the two prongs 18, 22 are touching each other.

FIG. 2 shows hair parting apparatus 10 with a see-through view through the handle 14. The first prong 18 is attached to a first prong base 42. The second prong 22 is attached to a second prong base 46. The wheel 26 is located between the two prong bases 42, 46 and is fixedly attached to a threaded bar 50. The threaded bar 50 mates with threads in a first threaded hole 54 locate in the first prong base 42. The threaded bar 50 also mates with threads in a second threaded hole 58 locate in the second prong base 46. The hair parting apparatus 10 may have one or more guide bars. In the disclosed embodiment, the braiding apparatus 10 has a first guide bar 62 and a second guide bar 66. The first guide bar 62 is slideably attached to the first prong base 42 via a non-threaded hole 70, and is also slideably attached to the second prong base 46 via a non-threaded hole 74. The second guide bar 66 is slideably attached to the first prong base 42 via a non-threaded hole 78, and is also slideably attached to the second prong base 46 via a non-threaded hole 82.

In operation, when the wheel 26 is rotated/spun in one direction, for instance to the right, the threaded bar 50 also rotates with the wheel 26, since it is fixedly attached to the wheel. As the threaded bar 50 rotates, the threads in the first threaded hole 54 are forced to travel along the threads of the threaded bar 50, and thus the first prong base 42 and the first prong 18 are forced to travel along the threaded bar 50. Thus, the apparatus may configured such that when the wheel is spun to the right, the first prong base 42 is forced to travel in an upwards direction (as shown by the upwards pointing arrow 88). Similarly, when the wheel 26 rotated/spun to the right, the threaded bar 50 rotates to the right and the threads in the second threaded hole 58 are forced to travel along the threads of the threaded bar 50, and thus the second prong base 46 and the second prong 22 are forced to travel along the threaded bar 50. Since the first prong base 42 is configured to travel up when the wheel 26 is spun in a right direction, the second prong base 46 will be configured to travel down (in the direction of the arrow 92) when the wheel is spun in the right direction, thus moving the two prongs 18, 22 away from each other (and thereby decreasing the value of d) when the wheel is spun to the right. When the wheel is spun to the left, the two prongs 18, 22 will move towards each other, decreasing the value of d. Of course, the threads may be configured in the apparatus such that when the wheel 26 is spun to the right, the prongs 18, 22 move towards each other, and when the wheel 26 is spun to the left, the prongs 18, 22 move away from each other, increasing the value of d. The value of d may be changed in infinite increments from about 0 inches to about 3 inches, and preferably will be changeable from about 0 inches to about 1 inch. The length of the whole apparatus “L” may be about 3.5 inches to about 14 inches in length, and preferably about 7 inches, however, this apparatus may be made to be longer or shorter. The prongs 18, 22 may extend from the handle 14 by about 1 inch to about 7 inches, and preferably about 2.5 inches; however, any length prongs may be used, depending on whether it will be used for a small child, or a large animal, such as a horse. The width w of the handle may be about 1 inch to about 6 inches, and preferably about 2 inches.

The hair parting apparatus may be used as follows, however, other means of using the hair parting apparatus are included in the scope of this disclosure. The hair parting apparatus may be used as a parting aid. The hair parting apparatus may be held in one hand (right hand if right handed, left if left handed, for instance). The hair parting apparatus is run along the scalp to part the hair the same way as would a comb, if the comb was run lengthwise along the scalp to make a hair part, except unlike a comb, this produces two hair parts instead of one hair part. Hair clips, bobby pins, or other hair holding means may then be used to hold the two hair parts in place. The hair parting apparatus is then placed on one of the two parts with both prongs on the part. Then one can pull the hair parting apparatus orthogonally between the two hair parts creating another parted section, similar to a square part or a box part. The box part is held in place with hair clips, bobby pins, or other hair holding means. One then repeats this process of creating box parts, until the original section of hair being worked on is complete. These box parted sections of hair can then be braided, twisted, locked, etc. The hair parting apparatus can also be used to produce uniformed corn rows. To make corn rows, one places the hair parting apparatus at the front of the head with both prongs on the hair line and part with the hair parting apparatus to the base of the head, one has now produced a uniformed section to corn row or flat twist. It is usually time consuming and difficult to get two straight parted lines equally distant for this process.

The disclosed hair parting apparatus has many advantages. The hair parting apparatus may be used to make very precise parted sections. This would be an aid in any type of hair styling especially braiding, twists and locks. The apparatus allows one to set the distance between prongs in order to have consistent sized braids. The disclosed hair parting apparatus allows one to have variable sized braids in order to create new braiding styles. The disclosed apparatus is simple to use. The disclosed apparatus can be inexpensively manufactured. This hair parting apparatus can be used in every styling method that uses parted sections. It saves time and limits frustration. This hair parting apparatus can be used at an angel to produce angled parts, zig zag parts and more. The wheel in the center if the device allows the user to adjust the width of the prongs, thereby changing the size of the parted sections. This will produce infinite possibilities in styling. This invention pertains to the precise parting of hair to maximize speed and productivity in the natural hair care industry. This will quickly set the client up for braiding, weaving or hair extensions. Although this hair parting apparatus came about because of a need in the black hair industry, it can be used on any hair type that needs to work with sectioned or parted hair. It can be used to quickly section and put hair on rollers, section hair for curly up does and more. When working with synthetic or human hair, the apparatus can be used to section equal amounts of hair to be used in whatever style is being created.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A hair parting apparatus comprising: a handle a first prong extending from the handle; a second prong extending from the handle and orientated such that the second prong is generally parallel to the first prong; a rotatable wheel located on the handle and in operational communication with the first prong and the second prong, and wherein the rotatable wheel can rotate in a first direction and in a second direction; and wherein the hair parting apparatus is configured such that when the wheel is rotated in a first direction, the first and second prongs will move away from each other, while maintaining a parallel orientation to each other, until the distance between the prongs reaches a maximum value; and wherein the hair parting apparatus is further configured such that when the wheel is rotated in a second direction, the first and second prongs will move towards each other, while maintaining a parallel orientation to each other, until the distance between the two prongs reaches a minimum value.
 2. The hair parting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the maximum value is between about one (1) inch and about six (6) inches.
 3. The hair parting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the maximum value is about two (2) inches.
 4. The hair parting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the minimum value is about zero (0) inches.
 5. The hair parting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first prong base located in the handle and attached to the first prong, the first prong base having a first threaded hole; a second prong base located in the handle and attached to the second prong, the second prong base having a second threaded hole; a threaded bar located in the handle and fixedly attached to the wheel, and the threaded bar rotatably attached to the first prong base via the first threaded hole, and the threaded bar also rotatably attached to the second prong base via the second threaded hole.
 6. The hair parting apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a first non threaded hole located in the first prong base; a second non-threaded hole located in the first prong base; a third non-threaded hole located in the second prong base; a fourth non-threaded hole locate din the second prong base; a first guide bar slideably attached to the first prong base via the first non-threaded hole and the third non-threaded hole; a second guide bar slideably attached to the first prong base via the second non-threaded hole and the fourth non-threaded hole. 